Nehru's Decision to Avoid Escalating the Kashmir War: A Strategic Analysis
Harsh events followed the partition of India in 1947, as Nehru grappled with crucial decisions, particularly whether to escalate the Kashmir conflict across the international border. This compendious analysis explores the context, strategic considerations, and the merits of his decision against border escalation.
Background of the Partition and Chaos in Punjab
The partition of India in 1947 led to unprecedented turmoil, especially in Punjab. Mass migration of millions of refugees across the Radcliffe line caused immense suffering and political tumult. Neighboring Hyderabad State, despite the Standstill Agreement in November 1947, was not spared. The Razakars, 200,000 strong, demanded an independent Islamic state, and crucial Indian forces were diverted to protect refugees.
Kashmir: A Gravely Challenging Conflict
The fighting in Kashmir intensified by December 1947. Regular Pakistani army units joined the battle against the Indian army, resulting in strategic gains and losses in Nowshera, Poonch, Kargil, and along the Uri-Muzaffrabad axis. The fate of Gilgit Baltistan hung in the balance, notably due to treason by Maj Brown, who led a militia mutiny in favor of Pakistan, aiding in the arrest of Kashmir's Governor. Skardu, strategically crucial, was under siege, and the fall of Leh, a neighboring valley, seemed imminent.
Logistical Advantages and Indian Challenges
Logistical challenges posed significant hurdles for the Indian army. Their base located in Pathankot, three days' drive from Uri, contrasted with Pakistan's support from close bases in Jehlum and Abbottabad. This proximity provided Pakistan with a logistical edge, exacerbating the stretched resources of the Indian forces.
Nehru's Onsite Command and Pragmatism
Nehru, a dynamic leader, demonstrated his commitment to onsite command by visiting Baramula in an armoured car of 7 Cavalry on November 11, 1947. This event marked the closest any political leader had ventured to the chaotic frontlines. His decision-making was significantly influenced by the overall context, including the criticality of integrating Hyderabad State, which had a larger Hindu population and was fully within the Indian Dominion. This strategic imperative dictated priorities over further escalation in Kashmir.
Decisions and Constraints
Nehru and Patel judiciously prioritized Hyderabad over Kashmir due to its strategic and demographic importance. By deploying the 1st Armoured Division to secure Hyderabad against Razakar forces, they aimed to prevent a potential Indian annexation by Pakistan. This decision mobilized scarce resources and weakened the Indian position in Poonch-Mirpur, an area already in urgent need of reinforcement.
Conclusion: The Wisdom of Holding Back
Given the crisis-level chaos during partition and the severe demobilization of Indian military forces post-World War II, escalation across the international border was a non-viable option. Nehru's decision to contain the conflict in Kashmir demonstrated tactical prudence. It allowed the maintenance of a buffer zone, avoided the foreseeable devastation of a major conflict, and allowed for energy to be shifted towards more pressing integration challenges.
Thus, while Nehru's decision remains a subject of historical debate, it can be argued that it was a well-calibrated action aimed at broader strategic interests, balancing internal and international pressures, and preserving the fragile peace in the wake of partition.